Other Rumors / Stories for 2018
- Penske DPi (Honda-Oreca)
- Joest DPi (Hyundai, Audi-Dallara)
- Lexus to GTLM
- PC on the way out
- Volvo to either DPi or Monster Truck Racing according to Fox over the weekend which was almost as bad as Jack Warner citing The Onion

-If both Honda and Audi came into DPI then you will be back to or exceed ALMS 2008 levels of depth in the prototype class.

-Still awaiting what BMW's new GTLM/GTE model will be. I hope they do what Porsche and Ford do which is run both series (WEC) where the cars have the same paint scheme and same car number. I like the continuity.
(side note: Imsa Porsches say 912 and 911, but to me its essentially 91 and 92 since nobody else runs them)

-If both Honda and Audi came into DPI then you will be back to or exceed ALMS 2008 levels of depth in the prototype class.

-Still awaiting what BMW's new GTLM/GTE model will be. I hope they do what Porsche and Ford do which is run both series (WEC) where the cars have the same paint scheme and same car number. I like the continuity.
(side note: Imsa Porsches say 912 and 911, but to me its essentially 91 and 92 since nobody else runs them)

I doubt all the current P class cars come back next season considering how horrendously uncompetitive some (most) of them are. If there's a fourth Cadillac it will be a current team but I don't see why GM would bother. Really nothing but the Cadillacs and the #90 seem certain. Not to say they won't be replaced but I don't see a lot of stability with how much trouble teams are having running those cars.

I doubt all the current P class cars come back next season considering how horrendously uncompetitive some (most) of them are. If there's a fourth Cadillac it will be a current team but I don't see why GM would bother. Really nothing but the Cadillacs and the #90 seem certain. Not to say they won't be replaced but I don't see a lot of stability with how much trouble teams are having running those cars.

Agree, gibson lmp2 cars simply don't stand a chance against cadillacs.
Considering that there are at lest 6 cadillac chassis (4 fox AXR and 2 for WTR) very likely spirit of daytona will get one of them next year.
ESM and speedsource surely will keep on with their package, but is very unlikely that oreca/ligier teams will stay next year.

Penske dpi program can be real only with HPD involvment = HPD pays for everything.
Audi/Joest/Bentley/whatever is just fan fiction so far

Agree, gibson lmp2 cars simply don't stand a chance against cadillacs.
Considering that there are at lest 6 cadillac chassis (4 fox AXR and 2 for WTR) very likely spirit of daytona will get one of them next year.
ESM and speedsource surely will keep on with their package, but is very unlikely that oreca/ligier teams will stay next year.

Penske dpi program can be real only with HPD involvment = HPD pays for everything.
Audi/Joest/Bentley/whatever is just fan fiction so far

Rebellion was on pole for Sebring, and the 85 JDC/Miller car was in contention for hours at Sebring. That car was also quite good at Long Beach. If a team at or near Rebellion's level was to run a Oreca/Gibson for the whole year, they would be in contention for wins straight away, especially at fast and flowing circuits, which make a good portion of the schedule. Sufficed to say, I really don't think we lose every LMP2 entry; especially not if IMSA allows teams to change gearbox suppliers, or make other changes that make the cars more American-circuit-friendly.

VFR will very likely run a DPi next year, but I don't think it is a certainty that it will be Cadillac.

The Penske/Honda connection would be a serious threat to Cadillac, and seriously amp up the level of competition in the prototype class, no doubt.

Joest and Audi have each been quoted on their genuine interest in the DPi/IMSA Prototype category. Do I think either program will show up in 2018? I doubt both will - unless Audi tasks Joest with their DPi program, but if Audi doesn't show in '18, I think they are likely in '19, and Joest may be a great candidate for a TPNAEC entry, given a sponsor or manufacturer willing to pay the bills.

Perhaps I err too far on the side of DPi/LMP2 being a success, but I really think you are being far too cynical about its chances.

I think it's more likely we gain more p2s than lose some. I could see teams from pc like starworks joining, especially with a pay driver of two. Its also more likely some of these teams will be kept around by adding an am category to allow a few cars to compete for their own class while also in the overall race. Maybe someone like shank coming in with 2 cars, one in the pro class and one in the am class. Same cars, all eligible overall, but kind of an extra reward for the gentleman drivers kinda thing.

Plus, why would any p2 runners be worried about competing in a bop class? Isn't that the whole point of bop?

Rebellion was on pole for Sebring, and the 85 JDC/Miller car was in contention for hours at Sebring. That car was also quite good at Long Beach. If a team at or near Rebellion's level was to run a Oreca/Gibson for the whole year, they would be in contention for wins straight away, especially at fast and flowing circuits, which make a good portion of the schedule. Sufficed to say, I really don't think we lose every LMP2 entry; especially not if IMSA allows teams to change gearbox suppliers, or make other changes that make the cars more American-circuit-friendly.

A lot of the DPi vs P2 issue is the same as DP vs P2 in the past: who's running the cars. 2/3 of the full-time P2s are teams who are brand new to the P class and have pro-am driver lineups. It's not realistic that they'd be fighting for wins right out of the box, regardless of package. And Visit Florida- a better driver lineup in theory, but it's still all-new equipment for them. And let's be honest- they didn't exactly set the world on fire last year with *the* dominant package.

Quote:

VFR will very likely run a DPi next year, but I don't think it is a certainty that it will be Cadillac.

There was talk their Riley could become a Mazda DPi, possibly even before the season ends. Might not be a competition improvement for them, though.